Robert Burns Cocktail

Robert Burns Cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Robert Burns is one of the great classic cocktails from the golden age of adult beverages. Most people would associate the drink with Robert Burns, the famed Scottish poet of the 1700s. According to A.S. Crockett's "The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book", it may actually have been named after a cigar salesman who was a regular at the bar.

The drink itself is a delightful, sophisticated mix that builds on the scotch-vermouth combination of the Rob Roy. The addition of absinthe brings in a nice contrasting flavor, though be sure to keep this accent to a dash, as it can easily overpower the drink. If absinthe is a bit too much for your taste, there is a variation called the Bobby Burns cocktail that you might find a bit more appealing.

It is a Scottish tradition to celebrate the poet Burns' birthday on January 25th of each year during what is known as Burns Night. Whether this drink was actually named for him or not, it is a fantastic choice for the evening's libation.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  3. Stir well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Blended Scotch whisky is generally preferred in scotch cocktails. It tends to lend a nice balance to the drink and mixes well with almost any flavor, and there are many great brands to choose from.
  • As with any cocktail in the martini or Manhattan style, feel free to adjust the whisky to sweet vermouth ratio to fit your taste. The amounts in the recipe are the most common, and you might want to tweak that with different scotches.
  • There are also lots of options when it comes to the orange bitters. It's one of the most popular flavors and at least one bottle should be in every well-stocked bar.
  • If you do not have absinthe, try an anise-flavored liqueur as a substitute.

Recipe Variations

  • The Bobby Burns cocktail is a classic twist on the Robert Burns. It is typically mixed with a Highland single malt scotch and uses the same proportions of whiskey and sweet vermouth. The difference is that the Bobby Burns skips the absinthe and bitters, pouring 1/2 ounce Benedictine instead.
  • Don't be afraid to mix with a single malt scotch. It's a fantastic choice for simple and sophisticated cocktails like this and there are a number of affordable options, so you won't be wasting money. Since each region of Scotland produces whiskies with distinct flavor characteristics, you will experience a new Robert Burns each time. It's like taking a tour of the countryside without leaving home!

How Strong Is a Robert Burns?

Up cocktails made entirely of alcohol are pretty potent drinks. If you were to pour an 80-proof scotch into your Robert Burns, you could expect it to have an alcohol content of 28 percent ABV (56 proof) or so. That's right in line with similar drinks like the Manhattan. It's best to sip this one slowly and keep in mind that one too many can get you drunker than you might have intended.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
178 Calories
0g Fat
3g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 178
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 21mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)